Falling for Mr. Wrong(28)

“You never explained how it is he owns this place.”

“Millie—Noah’s mother—bought the place shortly after he went away. What with Noah gone, and then Matt and Katie moved in with her folks—”

“Wait. Matt and Katie moved in with her family? Why?”

“Well, because of the baby. It made sense. Katie had more family who could help out with Tyler once he was born.”

Harper shook her head. “Who’s Tyler?”

“Matt and Katie’s boy.”

“I’m sorry but how did I miss out on that news?”

Betty shrugged. “Don’t ask me. Maybe you didn’t want to hear any of it?”

It was true. She’d shunned Millie. She hadn’t appreciated how lonely Millie must’ve been as well, with her firstborn so suddenly long gone.

“Millie had a big heart but she hadn’t a clue about keeping a place like this in the black. I think she hoped this would be her little nest egg, and eventually she could retire here, maybe her grandchildren would come and play.”

“What happened?”

“She started losing weight, got sick suddenly, and declined rapidly. The cancer had taken over her body. The minute he knew something was wrong, Noah left law school and raced home to help out with his mama.”

“Wait. You’re telling me Noah was in law school?”

She nodded. “But I think he was looking for an excuse to leave.”

Harper frowned. “Yep. Sounds like him.”

Betty shook her head. “I didn’t mean that in a negative way. I only meant he found out it wasn’t for him.”

Same way he’d found out Harper wasn’t, probably.

“How long was he in law school for?”

“He was in his second year when he came home. Nursed Millie through that terrible time. And as she lay dying, he promised her he’d fix this place. Make it so that it was financially viable. He’s been running the inn ever since.”

“I’m so sorry about Millie,” Harper said, wiping a tear from her eye. “She was always so sweet. I had a soft spot in my heart for her. But after Noah left, I simply couldn’t—”

Betty placed a hand on her shoulder again. “Of course not. I’m sure Millie didn’t take it personally. She understood these things.”

Betty pointed at the floral arrangements on the table. “Noah’s tried to honor his mother’s wishes right down to the décor for each wedding. She had these things planned out long ago, before she got sick. Not great with budgeting but she had an eye for details. So Noah has followed her instructions to the T, making sure the weddings he’s creating here are exactly what Millie dreamed of.”

Wow. She had made him out to be an ogre in her mind after all this time. She’d wanted to see him hurt like he’d hurt her. The only way she could hurt him was with her words, so she had been fine saying things that would ensure he knew she didn’t care about him. But dammit, how could she not? The man this woman Betty was talking about was a kind, thoughtful, deliberative man. Not a boy who would flee from responsibility. Even if she still didn’t know why he did what he did. This was a lot to absorb. She wasn’t quite sure how to process it.

Locking arms with Harper, Betty led her to where Noah was standing.

“Martha—what say you and I take care of closing everything up tonight? I think this young lady needs a ride and I know exactly the man to help her out.” She gently pushed Harper toward Noah and ushered them both toward the front door.

Harper couldn’t yell at a sweet old gal like that, so she obliged her, all the while wondering exactly what she was getting herself into. It seemed a far cry from a little itch scratching, that was for sure.





Chapter Twenty-One


“So I guess I have no choice in the matter about your driving me home?”

“Not unless you want to insult my mom’s two best friends.”

“Far be it from me to buzzkill those sweet women.”

“Yep. That’s been my experience as well. If the world had more people like those two, there would be no wars. Who could ever confront them? They’re a force of nature.”

Harper laughed, but then rested her hand on his.

“Betty told me about your mother.” She looked at him, her damp eyes reflecting the lights of an oncoming car. Those eyes he’d thought about so many times over the years. “Must have been awful.”

“More than you can imagine.”

“I wish I had known about her passing. I would have come to the funeral.” She sighed. “I mean, I’d made myself scarce with your mother. I had to. But had I known—”

“How could you have? Had I known, I’d have done things differently too.”

“I hadn’t appreciated that when you left me, you left her too. Maybe it was even harder on her.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I caused enough pain to go around.”

Harper laughed softly. “More than you can imagine.” She parroted his words deliberately. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for the question she never thought she’d get a chance to ask. “Why’d you leave?”

They pulled up to her place and he put the car in park. He turned to look at her, scrubbing his hands over his face. “Do you mind if I come in to continue this conversation?”